JaNUARY Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 JaNUARY 2015 Monthly Newsletter Rev. Geisa Matos-Machuca 961 Valley St, Manchester, NH Phone: Visit our web site for more information about our congregation, ministries, and events at:

2 A Pastoral Reflection During our last Christmas Dinner, a gentleman asked me Pastor, what do you foresee for 2015? The question took me by surprise, but I spoke from my heart and answered, I just expect to continue to see the light of God amidst the darkness that oftentimes seems to surround us! He agreed that there is too much suffering in the world, but that God gives us the strength to deal with the challenges of today and hope for the future. Later on that day, I went to have dinner with other members of my family in Salem, MA (yes, to have dinner again). Before having dinner, we watched the animated movie Frozen. As you might know, this movie is like a musical and one of the most popular songs of the movie is Let It Go. For some reason, I keep singing the part of the song that says Let it go, let it go! Can't hold it back any more. Let it go, let it go over and over again. I recently read an article in which someone states, The thing is there are a few thoughts that I struggle to let go. And gosh it is tiring. It feels like I m swimming upstream against the flow. Changes are often difficult, and we have to be strong to undergo them. Otherwise, we either crumble under the pressure or let darkness and pessimism engulf and overcome us and dictate our life. As we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome the 2015 New Year, it is time to let go of many things and situations we have been holding onto tightly. It is time to let go of those things which are holding us back and that only bring darkness to our lives. What if as a way of preparing to enter the New Year, we try to learn from our disappointments and losses? It is in the lesson of losses that we oftentimes find the strength to move on and to become what we have been called to be. The Scriptures suggest that we are part of a chosen people..., God's special possession, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light(1 Peter 2:9). While at this time of the year we acknowledge our struggles, we also recognize that God is greater than any challenges we might be facing as individuals or as a community. It is time to saturate our mind with positive thoughts and with affirmations that God is good! It is time to LET GO AND LET GOD! We can let go today because the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it (John 1:5). As a church, First UMC has faced challenges but we have remained faithful to God. In 2014, we witnessed the power, love, and grace of God in many ways; and we experienced amazing miracles on a regular basis. As a community of faith, we are convinced that God can do everything but fail! I can t wait to see the miracles that God will perform in our midst this New Year. My friends, may you face life's challenges with courage and a willingness to grow from it all. May you have blessed and Happy New Year 2015! Pastor Geisa.

3 OUR MINISTRIES GOD AT WORK! Activa-Tree Christian Preschool Call Kathleen & Open every Tuesday 9am to 11:30am Program A Parish nurse is here every Tuesday 9am to 11:30am. Sunday School For all ages adults & children! 9am every Sunday! The FUMC Youth Group Contact Regina Moore at Lay Visiting Team: Contact Martha Camire at if you know someone in need of a visit, a card, a call, etc. Breakfast with Jesus!: Saturdays at 6:30am Contact Wade or Pastor Geisa for more information FUMC On-Line Prayer Chain if you are in need of prayer please Karen Cassidy at kdcassidy@msn.com or Pastor Geisa at pastorgeisa@fumcmanchester.org FUMC Praise Band! For more information contact Lee Soto at praiseband@fumcmanchester.org or Pastor Geisa at pastorgeisa@fumcmanchester.org

4 JANUARY 2015 January 3rd Double Take A Christmas Pageant written by Dennis Hartin Presented by the Sunday School, the Choir & members of the congregation! Celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord to the Wise Men! *************************************************************************** January 11th Between the Sword and the Wall When we find ourselves in a no-win situation, we should remember the words of Moses to the Israelites when they thought that there was no hope of escaping from slavery. Moses tells them Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still (Exodus 14:13-14). Scriptures: Psalm 29 and Exodus 1 4:1-18 ************************************************************************************** January 18 th Ring, Ring, Ring! God Is Calling You. Will You Answer? After his divinity was revealed in the Jordan River, Jesus began his ministry and to do wonderful things! He also started to call people and invited them to become fishers of men. Jesus continues to call us today and continues to challenge us to give God the first place in our lives. We call upon God frequently. God also call us, but often times with ignore Him or do not recognize his voice. What is God calling you to do this New Year? Scripture: John 1 : January 25th Is It You Lord? Oftentimes we struggle when trying to discern if God is calling us to do something. We will listen to stories of people who have experienced this and after a discernment process, they have asserted Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. 1 Scriptures: Samuel 3: 1-10, (11-20) 1 Lyrics from Here I am Lord, United Methodist Hymn #593

5 First United Methodist Church is happy to welcome Maci Grace Johnson into our community of faith! Maci joined the universal church and the United Methodist Church through the sacrament of baptism on Sunday, December 21th. Her parents, Lisa and Don Johnson, love this church so much that their five beautiful children have been baptized here! Maci s godparents are our beloved sister and brother, Alicia and Scott Camire. As we remember the baptism of the Lord this Epiphany season, we remember our own baptismal covenant and our commitment to follow Jesus and to serve others. Do you remember people who have been baptized at First UMC of Manchester? If so, would you take a moment to pray for them and their family? Congratulations Maci!

6 SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015 Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Glazed Carrots, Gravy, Dessert & Beverage Cost: $9 Adults (Ages 5-13) $5, Under 5 Free Dinner is served at 5:30pm

7 To all who helped to make the 31 st Annual Community Christmas Dinner a success! For the Gifts to the Baby Jesus! To our friends at the Foundation who donated $920 to the Activa- Tree Scholarship Fund! First UMC S Wednesday morning Crafter s Group is taking a bit of a break December & January. They will be back Wednesday, February 4 th, 2015, ready to continue working on crafts for the Fall Festival 2015! All are invited!

8 JANUARY 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9am-11:30am Children s Sacred Dance Choir- 6:15pm Choir-7pm 1 Happy New Year! am Living Sober 7pm AA Meeting 3 Girl Scouts mtg. 9:00am Dress Rehearsal 9:30am 4 9am Sunday School 10:30 Worship Double Take Christmas Pageant 5 6 9am-11:30am 7 Finance mtg.@6:30pm Children s Sacred Dance Choir- 6:15pm Choir@7pm 8 Boy Scouts 7pm Trustees Sacred am Living Sober 7pm AA Meeting 10 Girl Scouts Roast Beef Dinner@ 5:30pm 11 9am Sunday School 10:30 Worship am-11:30am 14 Finance mtg.@6:30pm Children s Sacred Dance Choir- 6:15pm Choir@7pm 15 Boy Scouts Sacred am Living Sober 7pm AA Meeting 17 Girl Scouts 18 9am Sunday School 10:30 Worship am-11:30am 6:30pm Worship Team Boy Scouts Sacred am Living Sober 7pm AA Meeting 24 Girl Scouts 25 No Sunday School 10:30 Worship am-11:30am Boy Scouts Sacred 30 31